WORK is nearing completion on a scheme to transform a former shop in the centre of Bedale as part of a local regeneration programme.

The conversion and redevelopment of the former Condur Design hardware shop at 17 Market Place, and smaller adjoining commercial premises, represents a partnership between Hambleton District Council, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and the local enterprise agency Business Support and Development, based in nearby Bridge Street.

The building will become a base for Business Support and Development and the Learndirect service, which it runs locally as part of a national scheme, but there will also be space for other organisations offering help and guidance in educational opportunities for the community.

The enterprise agency, established 20 years ago, gives advice to small businesses while Learndirect offers online courses in information technology, business and management. It has a database of 600,000 courses.

Most of the funding for the redevelopment, which has cost about £1m, has come from Yorkshire Forward, with other contributions from the district council and Business Support and Development.

The building passed into the hands of a property company after Condur Design closed three years ago and the main lease is now held by the council. The redevelopment began at the start of the year and, although some parts of the property needed substantial renovation, interior work is now almost complete.

The redevelopment is part of a council regeneration strategy and Councillor Tony Hall, cabinet member for prosperity, said: "It will provide a facility to give much-needed support to new businesses and we are very pleased with the way it has gone.

"It would not have happened without a partnership with Yorkshire Forward and Business Support and Development. Refurbishing a building of that age was never going to be cheap but the project has levered in a lot of external funding."

Ralph Andrew, chairman of Business Support and Development, said the agency's range of activities had expanded greatly.

He said: "It was necessary for us to move with the number of staff employed and the number of people coming through us.

"We are one of the biggest Learndirect providers in North Yorkshire.

"Our work is spread over such levels and different areas that it is difficult for us in our present offices."